Improvement in gas-lighting torches



T. W. HOUCHIN.

Improvement in. Gas-Lighting Torch.

Patentd Sep.17, 1872.

W I T N E S S E S w N y E N T 0 R AM PHOTU-UTHOC/M/WIC 00 Iii/0350511519PRDCESS) UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIG'E.

THOMAS W. HOUGHIN, OF MORRISANIA, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN GAS-LIGHTING TORCHES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 131,445, datedSeptember 17, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS W. HoUcHIN, of Morrisania, in the county ofWestchester, New York, have invented, made, and applied to use a new anduseful Gas-Lighting Torch; and that the following is a full, clear, andcorrect description of the same, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawing making part of this specification and to the letters ofreference marked thereon, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of myimproved torch. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the same.

In the drawing like parts of the invention are designated by the sameletters of reference.

The nature of the present invention consists in the construction, asmore fully hereinafter set forth, of an improved gas-lighting torch; theobject of the invention being the production of a gas-lighting torcheasily constructed, and one that will efliciently answer the purpose forwhich it is intended.

To enable those skilled in the arts to make and use my invention, I willdescribe the same.

A is a chamber of metal or any suitable material to receive the alcoholor fluid employed. This chamber is supplied with an opening,B, for theintroduction of the alcohol or fluid, and into which one end of thesupplypipe 0 is inserted. O is the supply-pipe, made of metal, of anysuitable shape, and having placed in it a braided wick, D, or anysubstitute for the same, to take up the alcohol or fluid employed bycapillary attraction, and conduct the same to the burning-point at theforward end of the pipe 0. E is a circular plate of metal or collarpassed over the wick and moved freely over the same to compress it, andthus govern the supply of fluid. F is a lining of asbestus or otherabsorbent nonconsuming material, forming a connection be tween the wickD and burner G. The burner G is made of metal, having a cavity toreceive the asbestus or other packing, and is formed of perforated metalor wire-gauze of proper size and shape, and being provided with openingsof sufficient size, for the flame required. The chamber A is supportedupon a handle, I. This handle may be composed of two or more sections ofwood, so that the handle may be of any desired length, and when packedfor shipment the sections of which the handle is composed may bedisunited so as to occupy but little space. The sections composing thehandle are provided with a screw-socket, L, into which, when desired tounite the sections, is fitted a double-ended screw, M. K shows a key forturning on the gas, made of any proper shape, and preferably placed atthe upper end of the torch above the chamber A.

Such being the construction, the operation may be thus described: Thewick D having had passed over it the circular plate E, and beencompressed as much as it may require, is inserted in the tube (1. Thechamber A is then-supplied with alcohol or other fluid, and the tube (Jis inserted in the opening B. The torch is then inverted, so that thekey K will be downward, by which movement alcohol leaves the chamber A,enters the wick-tube O, and is taken up by the braided wick D. The torchmay then be returned to its former position, and is ready for use. Thegas is turned on by the key K, and the alcohol supplied to the wick D isconsumed at the burning-point G at the forward end of the pipe 0.

The ability to separate the handle in sections enables the packing ofthe torch in small compass.

The asbestus lining saves the necessity of replenishing the wick orburner, thus insuring the economy of the article.

It will be observed that the pipe (J is turned up at the lower end, sothat the flame of the burning alcohol will not play against the pipe andcorrode it, and char and consume the wick, as occurs when the end of thepipe, as in common gas-torches, is turned downward.

Having now set forth my invention, what I claim as new is l. Thecombination of the chamber A, pipe 0, wick D, contracting collar E, andburner G packed with asbestus and covered with wire-gauze, allconstructed and arranged as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a gas-lighting torch, the. handle I made in sections, united bythe screwjoints L M, constructed as described, and operating as and forthe purpose set forth.

THOMAS \V. HOUGHIN.

In presence of- A. SIDNEY DOANE, WM. HASTINGS.

